Contamination of Fresh and Ensiled Maize by Multiple Penicillium Mycotoxins

Abstract

Toxins produced by Penicillium species are reported in maize silage and have been associated with health problems in cattle. Our objectives were to evaluate the prevalence and dynamics of patulin (PAT), mycophenolic acid (MPA), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), and roquefortine C (ROC) in fresh and ensiled maize. To achieve these objectives we developed a high-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with mass spectrometry to detect all four toxins simultaneously in silage. In addition we collected weather data, information on agronomic practices, and silage fermentation characteristics for each study site. Silage was collected at harvest and after ensiling in 2001 and 2002 from 30 Pennsylvania dairies. The average concentration of toxins (range in parentheses) was: PAT 0.08 microg/g (0.01 to 1.21), MPA 0.16 microg/g (0.02 to 1.30), CPA 0.12 microg/g (0.02 to 1.43), and ROC 0.38 microg/g (0.01 to 5.71). ROC was the most frequently detected toxin (60%), followed by MPA (42%), CPA (37%), and PAT (23%). Of 120 samples tested, 15% contained no detectible levels of toxin, 25% were contaminated with one toxin, 32% with two, 18% with three, and 10% with all four toxins. All four mycotoxins were found in freshly harvested material, contradicting the belief that Penicillium toxin formation occurs exclusively during storage. We observed that weather conditions during specific growth stages of the crop affected the final concentration of toxins in freshly harvested maize. In ensiled material, PAT levels were affected by concentrations of propionic and isobutyric acids. Based on our data, Penicillium mycotoxins can form while the crop is in the field and after ensiling, suggesting that preventative measures should begin prior to ensiling.

In vitro exposure of Penicillium mycotoxins with or without a modified yeast cell wall extract (mYCW) on bovine macrophages (BoMacs)

“…In comparison to these Fusarium or Aspergillus mycotoxins, there are considerably fewer studies available related to mycotoxins produced from Penicillium spp., even though they are regarded as the most common mycotoxins found in silage for animal feed (Mansfield et al 2008). Therefore, there is a need for more studies to examine their potential toxicity, as well as effective preventive methods to deal with Penicillium mycotoxins (PMs).…”

Modification of aflatoxin B1and ochratoxin A toxicokinetics in rats administered a yeast cell wall preparation

“…Feeds multicontaminated by mycotoxins are frequent in the field (Scudamore et al 1998;Mansfield et al 2008) and the ability of YCW to bind several mycotoxins makes them 24 suitable for use under practical feeding conditions. In vivo studies have shown that YCW can reduce the adverse effects of mycotoxins in different animal species; swine (Swamy et al 26 2002), horse (Raymond et al 2003), laying hens (Chowdhury et al 2005), and dairy cows (Korosteleva et al 2007).…”

Fungal Diversity of Maize (Zea Mays L.) Grains

“…Penicillium spp. has been considered as storage fungi; however, in many cases it is present on maize before harvest (Mansfield, Jones & Kuldau, 2008). In the study carried out in Italy, the RD for Penicillium in organic maize was lower than 2%.…”